Million Dollar Baby (1941)

Director:

Curtis Bernhardt

Writers:

Leonard Spigelgass (story)
Casey Robinson (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

31 May 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Heiress | Banker | Benefactor | Boarding House | Butler

Cast

Priscilla Lane	...	Pamela 'Pam' McAllister
Jeffrey Lynn	...	James 'Jim' / 'Jimmy' Amory
Ronald Reagan	...	Peter 'Pete' Rowan
May Robson	...	Cornelia Wheelwright aka Miss White
Lee Patrick	...	Josie 'Lou' La Rue
Helen Westley	...	Mrs. Galloway, Landlady
George Barbier	...	Mr. Marlin, Attorney
Nan Wynn	...	Flo Turner, Band Singer
John Qualen	...	Dr. Patterson, Chemist
Walter Catlett	...	Mr. Simpson, Lacey's Dept. Store Floorwalker
Fay Helm	...	Mrs. Grayson, Alvie's Mom
Richard Carle	...	George, Wheelwright's Butler
John Ridgely	...	Ollie Ward, Bandleader
Maris Wrixon	...	Diana Bennet
James Burke	...	Callahan, Store Detective

Runtime:

USA:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Quotes:

Cornelia Wheelwright aka Miss White: You know something, Mr Amory? I just discovered America. Imagine that, at my age.
James 'Jim': You discovered what?
Cornelia Wheelwright aka Miss White: America! What it's all about. Where else could it happen that a couple of youngsters like that would refuse to take money simply because they hadn't earned it? Where they don't want to live on Easy Street unless they build their own home? Ah, there they go, bless their hearts. You know, it's youngsters like that that make you have faith in the future.

Soundtrack:

Die Walküre (The Valkyries)

A delightful comedy which proves "money can't buy happiness".

When crotchety old May Robson discovers that her father cheated his best friend out of his share of their business (causing his suicide), she sets out to find the man's descendants to give them part of her fortune. In New York City, her young lawyer (Jeffrey Lynn) locates the man's perky granddaughter (Priscilla Lane), a struggling shopgirl. Living in Helen Westley's decrepit boarding house with her struggling piano player boyfriend (Ronald Reagen) down the hall, Lane befriends Robson who moves into the boarding house to check her out. Then, Lynn arrives to see Lane while she is working to inform her of her new fortune. Of course, she thinks he's a masher, and Reagen also takes a dislike to him as well. Once everything comes out, the way is paved for a lot of chaos, laughs, and lessons.

Resembling "The Devil & Miss Jones" released the same year, we have May Robson in place of Charles Coburn as the crusty millionaire. Their motives were totally different: Robson was giving away her fortune, while Coburn was spying on union activism in his store. However, they end up involved in the romantic involvements of the young people they become attached to.

Lovably cantankerous, Robson is delightful, and as her surrogate granddaughter, Lane is fine as well. Best remembered for "Four Daughters" (with her two sisters) and "Arsenic and Old Lace", Lane is charming and delightful. Jeffrey Lynn is handsome and suave, while future President Reagan gives a not-too-bad performance as well. In a small role, well known character comedienne Lee Patrick is hysterical as a hot-tempered balloon dancer who exchanges barbs with salty Helen Westley, another delightful mature character actress of the 30's and 40's. Robson and Westley could have easily switched roles.

Worth seeing, "Million Dollar Baby" was one of those wonderful Warner Brothers ensemble pieces that still manages to stand the test of time.